The coronavirus has definitely changed the way we travel
The holidays during the pandemic were real challenges,
but they also created new opportunities. The entire hospitality industry had to adapt quickly, in order to be able to respond to the new trends in terms of safety, social distancing, as well as the possibility of serving guests daily meals.
Observing the opportunity and having as the main niche of guests, families with children, the Vacation Rentals industry promoted, with the help of specialized platforms such as Airbnb, the advantages of vacation apartment rentals, in a hotel setting:
-check-in in the property through “Self-Check-In” methods using an access code, to allow social distancing, guests checking in alone, assisted by modern applications and/or by phone with help from the representatives of the location.
-Fully equipped kitchens (like in your own home) to be able to offer guests the option of preparing their own meals, if the situation requires it, but definitely very suitable for guests with children.
In addition to these, large companies such as Airbnb have developed and financed – the Covid19 Cleaning Protocol, a manual with standards imposed and offered to its partners. This unforeseen series of events, as well as the new trends of spending vacations with the whole family or the opportunity to work from anywhere, have generated new travel selection filters such as:
– apartments, villas, holiday cottages
– locations with kitchens included
-Self-Check-In –intelligent deadbolt or access code
– Stable WIFI (for telecommuting) or NETFLIX (facility appreciated by children)
The main booking platforms have noticed and adapted to the new travel trends, including these filters in listing the results and sorting the accommodation spaces, thus influencing the booking decision. Forced by travel restrictions, tourists from all over the world had to search and to find accommodations that meet all the criteria and correspond to the new context, but above all, to allow a vacation without restrictions!
Thus, many chose holiday apartments – considered an alternative to hotels. Being located in attractive tourist destinations, as well as due to the obvious advantages regarding the comfort and facilities offered, Holiday Apartments continue to grow in “Travel Preferences” all over the world.
Source: Interview given by Geanina Stefan, representative of Keystay.com, for Financial Week
Link to the news: www.sfin.ro/coronavirusul…